Hay-rack lifter.



Patented June 24, I902.

' J. FRANK. HAY RACK LIFTER. (Applicatin filed Mar. 20, 1902.

2'Shaets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Q/vi l'neowo Gr wag No. 703,054. Patented June 24, I902. W. J. FRANK.

HAY RACK LIFTER.

(Application filed Mar. 20, 1902.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

TH: NORRIS pzrzns cc;v mom-uma. .VASNIHGYON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIS J. FRANK, OF ALCESTER, SOUTH DAKOTA.

HAY-RACK LIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,054, dated June 24,1902.

Application filed March 20, 1902. Serial No. 99,104. (No model.)

of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHay-Rack Lifters, of which the followingis such a ful l,clear, and exactdescription as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to re make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to improvements in hay-rack lifters; and itsobject is to provide a device of a strong and simple construction by theuse of which the rack will be automatically lifted from the wagonrunning-gear and will be held firmly in its raised position, so that itcannot be dislodged by the wind or by chance blows.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings,as willbe hereinafter first fully described, and

then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings just mentioned, Figure 1 is a perspective view ofahay-rack lifter embodying my invention in position to receive a rack.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,

showing a rack in position thereon, the position of the running-gearbeing indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing therack elevated. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of thedrop-legs on the 3 5 rack, and Fig. 5 is a transverse section showingthe rack in position.

In carrying out my invention I employ a pair of posts 1, which are setin the ground or in a platform orbase which is buried in the ground. Atsome distance from the posts I set up the head-posts 2, which aresomewhat higher than the posts 1- and have their upper ends formed intothe shoulders 3 and the beveled or curved faces 4:, as clearly shown.The

posts 2 are the same distance apart as the posts 1 and in linetherewith, while between the pairs of posts are located the longitudinalguide-rails 5 to keep the wagon in a true line when it is being drivenbetween the Secured to and extending between the corresponding posts ofeach pair are the sills or beams 6, and to the lower sills I pivotallysecure the levers or links 7, which have their upper ends pivoted to thelifting-rails 8. The levers or links 7, it will be noticed, are eachcomposed of two similar members which pass upward on opposite sides ofthe sills 6, and are thereby prevented from swaying laterally. The endsof the lifting-rails farther from the head-posts are beveled on theirupper faces, as shown at 9, to prevent clogging in the movement of therack onto the rails, and the front ends of the rails are provided withthe vertical stop-blocks 10, in

the upper ends of which are pivoted the dogs or latches 11, adapted toride over the headposts and engage the shoulders or recesses thereon. Tofacilitate the action of the latches or dogs, the under edges of thesame are beveled or inclined upward and outward, as shown at 12, and areconstructed with notches or shoulders 13 in rear of the beveled orinclined portions.

The rack 16 is provided with depending swinging drop-legs 14., whichengage the rear bolster (indicated by 17) of the running-gear, and oneach drop-leg I hang a hook 15, which is adapted to beengaged around thesaid bolster to lock the rack thereto.

In practice when'it is desired to raise the rack from the running-gearthe wagon is drawn between the posts and the hooks 15 are disengagedfrom'the bolster. forward movement of the team will then cause the rackto be moved forward on the liftingrails under the influence of thedrop-legs until the front end of the'rack impinges against thestop-blocks 10. After the rack impinges against the said stop-blocks itsforward movement will be transmitted to the said blocks, and the lifting-rails will consequently be caused to rise by reason of the levers orlinks 7 swinging on their pivots, as will be readily understood onreference to Figs. 2 and 3. This upward and forward movement of therails will continue until the stop blocks strike against the head-posts,at which instant the dogs or latches will drop into engagement with theshoulders on the tops of the said posts and lock the device in itsraised position. As the lifting -rails rise the rack is lifted off therunningear and the drop-legs fall into a vertical position, owing toremoval of the bolster from under the same. When The continued it isnecessary to again use the rack, the running-gear is driven intoposition thereunder, the latches released from the head-posts, and thehooks l4 engaged with the bolster of the running-gear, after which therack may be lowered onto the gear by simply moving the wagon backwardfrom between the posts.

My device is very simple in its construction and is entirely automaticin its operation. The downward movement of the lifter in returning therack to the wagon is arrested by the lifting-rails coming into contactwith the upper beams or sills 6, and the said sill forms a firm rest forthe lifting-rail until the operator is satisfied that the rack isproperly adjusted. When the rack is in its elevated position, the leversor links '7 are in a vertical position and constitute a strong supportfor the rack, while the dogs or latches engaging the head-postseffectually prevent the dislodgment of the rack by the wind or by stockrubbing against it.

Having thus described my invention, what ing Witnesses.

I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. The combination with the posts having shoulders on their upper ends,of lifting-rails provided with stop-blocks at their front ends, latchespivoted on the stop-blocks and adapted to engage the shoulders on theposts, and swinging supports for the lifting-rails.

2. As means for lifting a hay-rack from a wagon runninggear, a pair oflifting-rails adapted to receive and support the rack, swinging supportsfor the said rails, and droplegs pivoted on the rack and adapted to reston the bolster of the running-gear and each provided with a hook adaptedto be locked on the bolster.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscrib- WILLIS J. FRANK. Witnesses:

J. B. VAN DYKE,

A. H. CoLLINs.

